How Many Watts Does a Pellet Stove Use?
Pellet stoves use between 50 and 200 watts for their electrical components during normal operation, with most models averaging 100-120 watts. Unlike wood stoves that require no electricity, pellet stoves need power for three key components: the auger motor that feeds pellets into the burn pot (40-80W), the combustion blower fan that maintains proper airflow (50-90W), and the igniter that starts the fire (300-500W for 5-10 minutes only during startup). The total hourly cost is just $0.001-$0.003 (one-tenth of a penny to three-tenths), making electrical consumption negligible compared to pellet fuel costs ($200-400/heating season).
Understanding pellet stove power consumption helps you calculate true operating costs including both pellets and electricity ($220-450/season total), determine generator requirements for power outages (300W minimum for startup igniter), compare pellet stoves versus wood stoves and electric space heaters on total energy costs, assess off-grid compatibility (possible with battery backup or generator), and plan electrical installation (standard 120V outlet sufficient, no special 240V circuit needed unlike electric dryers).
This comprehensive guide breaks down pellet stove wattage by component and operation mode, explains startup versus continuous operation power differences, provides accurate cost calculations including both electricity and pellet fuel expenses, covers battery backup and generator sizing for off-grid/outage operation, compares pellet stoves to alternative heating methods on efficiency and cost, and offers strategies to optimize pellet stove operation for maximum heating output while minimizing both electrical and fuel consumption.
Quick Answer
Continuous Operation: 50-120 W (auger + fans)
Startup (igniter): 300-500 W (5-10 minutes only)
Peak Combined: 400-600 W (startup + fans)
Average Over 24hrs: 80-150 W effective
Electricity Cost: $0.001-$0.003/hour
Daily Electricity Cost: $0.02-$0.07 (24hr operation)
Heating Season Electricity: $10-$35 (6 months)
Total Cost (electricity + pellets): $220-$450/season
Circuit Requirements: Standard 120V, 15A outlet
🔥 Pellet Stove Cost Calculator
Your Pellet Stove Operating Costs:
Pellet Stove Electrical Components Breakdown
Pellet stoves require electricity for three primary systems:
| Component | Wattage | Function | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auger Motor | 40-80 W | Feeds pellets from hopper to burn pot | Intermittent (cycles every 30-60 sec) |
| Combustion Blower | 50-90 W | Forces air through burn pot for efficient combustion | Continuous during operation |
| Convection Blower | 20-50 W | Distributes heated air into room | Continuous, variable speed |
| Igniter | 300-500 W | Lights pellets during startup | 5-10 minutes only at startup |
| Control Board | 5-10 W | Manages all functions, thermostat | Continuous (even in standby) |
| Total (Continuous) | 100-150 W | All components except igniter | During heating |
| Total (Startup Peak) | 400-650 W | All components including igniter | First 5-10 minutes |
Power Consumption by Operation Mode
| Operation Mode | Wattage | Duration | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup/Ignition | 400-650 W | 5-10 min | Initial lighting |
| High Heat | 120-200 W | Variable | Cold weather, max output |
| Medium Heat | 80-120 W | Most common | Typical operation |
| Low Heat | 50-80 W | Mild weather | Maintaining temp |
| Standby (no heat) | 5-15 W | When off | Control board only |
Important: The igniter only runs during startup (5-10 minutes per day typically). Most operating time is spent at 50-150W continuous draw.
Real-World Operating Costs
Scenario 1: Typical Heating Season (Moderate Climate)
- Stove size: 42,000 BTU (medium)
- Average watts: 120W
- Hours per day: 16 hours
- Heating season: 6 months (Nov-Apr)
- Electricity: 0.12 kWh/day × $0.16 = $0.019/day
- Electricity cost: $3.50/month, $21/season
- Pellets: 3 bags/week × $6.50 = $19.50/week
- Pellet cost: $84/month, $507/season
- Total: $87.50/month, $528/season
Scenario 2: Cold Climate (Heavy Use)
- Stove size: 55,000 BTU (large)
- Average watts: 150W
- Hours per day: 20 hours
- Heating season: 7 months (Oct-Apr)
- Electricity: 0.15 kWh/day × $0.16 = $0.024/day
- Electricity cost: $4.38/month, $30.66/season
- Pellets: 5 bags/week × $6.50 = $32.50/week
- Pellet cost: $140/month, $987/season
- Total: $144.38/month, $1,017.66/season
Scenario 3: Supplemental Heat (Light Use)
- Stove size: 35,000 BTU (small)
- Average watts: 100W
- Hours per day: 10 hours
- Heating season: 5 months
- Electricity: 0.10 kWh/day × $0.16 = $0.016/day
- Electricity cost: $2.40/month, $12/season
- Pellets: 1.5 bags/week × $6.50 = $9.75/week
- Pellet cost: $42/month, $211/season
- Total: $44.40/month, $223/season
Pellet Stove vs Alternative Heating Costs
| Heating Method | Energy Source | BTU Output | Cost per Million BTU | Season Cost (60M BTU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pellet Stove | Wood pellets + electric | 40,000 | $12-15 | $720-900 |
| Wood Stove | Cordwood (no electric) | 40,000-60,000 | $8-12 | $480-720 |
| Electric Space Heater | Electricity only | 5,120 | $46.88 | $2,813 |
| Natural Gas Furnace | Natural gas | 80,000-120,000 | $15-20 | $900-1,200 |
| Propane Furnace | Propane | 80,000-120,000 | $25-35 | $1,500-2,100 |
| Heat Pump | Electricity | Variable | $15-20 | $900-1,200 |
Winner for cost-effectiveness: Wood stoves (if you cut your own wood), followed by pellet stoves. Electric space heaters are 3-4× more expensive than pellet stoves for equivalent heat.
Generator and Battery Backup Requirements
Since pellet stoves require electricity, power outages stop operation. Here's what you need:
Generator Sizing
| Generator Size | What It Powers | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| 300-500W (min) | Pellet stove startup only | Emergency backup |
| 1,000W | Pellet stove + lights + phone charging | Basic comfort |
| 2,000W | Pellet stove + refrigerator + essentials | Extended outages |
| 3,500W+ | Multiple appliances | Full backup |
Critical: The igniter draws 300-500W during startup. Your generator must handle this peak load for 5-10 minutes every startup cycle.
Battery Backup Systems
- 12V DC Battery with Inverter: 300-400W pure sine wave inverter minimum
- Capacity needed: 100Ah battery provides ~10-12 hours runtime at 100W average
- Marine/deep-cycle batteries: Recommended over automotive batteries
- Cost: $150-300 for basic setup (battery + inverter)
- Advantage: Silent, no fuel needed, automatic switchover
Pellet Stove vs Wood Stove: Total Cost Comparison
| Factor | Pellet Stove | Wood Stove |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $1,800-$4,500 | $800-$3,000 |
| Installation | $1,000-$2,500 | $1,500-$3,500 |
| Electricity Cost/Season | $15-35 | $0 (no electric needed) |
| Fuel Cost/Season | $400-1,000 (pellets) | $200-700 (cordwood) |
| Maintenance/Year | $100-200 (cleaning, parts) | $50-100 (chimney sweep) |
| Convenience | Automatic feed, thermostat | Manual loading every 2-4hrs |
| Power Outages | Requires generator/battery | Works without electricity |
| Storage Space | Compact (40lb bags) | Large (1-3 cords wood) |
Verdict: Pellet stoves offer convenience and cleaner operation. Wood stoves are cheaper to operate and work during power outages. Electricity cost ($15-35/season) is negligible compared to fuel costs ($400-1,000/season).
Efficiency and BTU Output
Pellet Stove Efficiency:
- Combustion efficiency: 75-85% (EPA certified)
- Heat transfer: 70-80% of heat enters room
- Overall efficiency: 60-75%
- vs Wood stove: Pellet stoves are 10-20% more efficient
BTU Output by Size:
| Stove Size | BTU/Hour | Heats (sq ft) | Pellets/Day | Typical Watts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 20,000-35,000 | 800-1,200 | 20-30 lbs | 80-100 W |
| Medium | 35,000-50,000 | 1,200-1,800 | 30-45 lbs | 100-130 W |
| Large | 50,000-65,000 | 1,800-2,500 | 45-60 lbs | 130-180 W |
Installation and Circuit Requirements
Electrical Installation:
- Voltage: 120V standard household
- Circuit: Dedicated 15A circuit recommended (not required)
- Outlet: Standard 3-prong grounded outlet
- GFCI: Not typically required (check local codes)
- Extension cords: NOT recommended (fire hazard, voltage drop)
Can share circuit? Yes, but a dedicated circuit prevents issues. Pellet stove draws 0.8-1.6 amps continuous (5-11% of 15A circuit), well within safe limits for shared use. See our outlet capacity guide for circuit planning.
8 Tips to Optimize Pellet Stove Operation
- Use Premium Pellets: Higher-density hardwood pellets burn hotter and longer, reducing both pellet and electricity consumption by 10-20% through fewer auger cycles.
- Clean Regularly: Weekly cleaning of burn pot and monthly chimney cleaning maintains 75-85% efficiency. Dirty stoves can lose 15-20% efficiency, requiring more pellets and longer run times.
- Proper Thermostat Settings: Set 2-3°F lower than desired; stove will cycle less frequently, saving electricity and extending equipment life.
- Seal and Insulate Your Space: Every 1°F reduction in heat loss saves 3-5% on heating costs. Weather-stripping and insulation matter more than stove efficiency.
- Use Ceiling Fans: Running ceiling fans on low (15-30W) distributes heat better, allowing lower thermostat settings and overall energy savings.
- Battery Backup for Outages: $200-300 investment provides peace of mind and avoids losing heat during power outages common in winter storms.
- Annual Professional Maintenance: $100-200 annual service catches issues early, maintains efficiency, and extends stove life (typical lifespan: 15-20 years).
- Buy Pellets in Summer: Off-season prices are 10-30% lower ($5-6/bag vs $7-9/bag in winter), significantly reducing total seasonal cost.
Comparing to Other Heating Appliances
| Appliance | Watts | BTU Output | Hourly Cost | Season Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pellet Stove | 100-150 W (elec) + pellets | 40,000 | $0.01 elec + $0.50 pellets | $520-900 |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | 1,500 W | 5,120 | $0.24 | $2,813 |
| Baseboard Heater | 1,000-2,000 W | 3,413-6,826 | $0.16-$0.32 | $1,875-3,750 |
| Heat Pump | 1,200-5,000 W | 12,000-48,000 | $0.20-$0.80 | $900-1,200 |
Key Insight: While pellet stoves use minimal electricity (100-150W), their total heating cost including pellets ($520-900/season) is 3-5× cheaper than pure electric heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much electricity does a pellet stove use per day?
A pellet stove uses approximately 1.6-3.6 kWh per day depending on size and operating hours. At 100-150 watts average and running 16 hours daily, electricity cost is $0.025-$0.058 per day, or $1.50-$3.50 per month. This is negligible compared to pellet fuel costs of $80-140 per month, making electricity only 2-4% of total operating costs.
Will a pellet stove work during a power outage?
No, pellet stoves require electricity to operate the auger motor, combustion blower, and igniter. Without power, the stove shuts down within minutes as the burn pot exhausts existing pellets. Solutions include generator backup (300-500W minimum), battery backup with inverter (400W+ pure sine wave), or choosing a wood stove instead which requires no electricity.
How does pellet stove electricity cost compare to pellet fuel cost?
Electricity costs $15-35 per heating season while pellets cost $400-1,000 per season. Pellets represent 92-97% of total operating costs; electricity is only 3-8%. This means even if electricity were free, total savings would be minimal. The primary cost consideration for pellet stoves should be pellet prices, not electrical consumption.
Conclusion
Pellet stoves use 50-200 watts for electrical components during operation, with most models averaging 100-120 watts continuously. The igniter adds 300-500 watts but only operates for 5-10 minutes during startup, making peak combined power draw 400-650 watts briefly. Annual electricity costs are minimal at $15-35 per heating season (6 months of operation), representing only 3-8% of total operating expenses when pellet fuel costs ($400-1,000/season) are included.
Unlike wood stoves that require no electricity, pellet stoves need power for the auger motor that feeds pellets (40-80W), combustion blower that maintains efficient burning (50-90W), and convection blower that distributes heat (20-50W). This electrical dependency makes pellet stoves vulnerable to power outages, solvable through generator backup (300W minimum capacity) or battery backup systems ($200-300 investment providing 10-12 hours runtime).
When comparing heating methods, pellet stoves offer excellent value at $520-900 per season total cost (electricity + pellets), performing 3-5× better than pure electric heat from space heaters ($2,800+/season) while providing superior convenience versus wood stoves through automatic pellet feeding and thermostat control. The minimal electrical consumption (equivalent to running one 100-watt light bulb) should not be a significant factor in purchasing decisions—pellet fuel costs and heating efficiency matter far more than the negligible $15-35 annual electricity expense.
Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy (DOE), EPA certified pellet stove data, manufacturer specifications from Harman, Quadra-Fire, Enviro. Electricity rates based on January 2026 national average of $0.16/kWh. Pellet prices based on 2026 market rates. See our calculation methodology for complete details.